Don't you want to see more fireflies in your backyard? Here's how to make it happen. (Photo: HTU/Shutterstock)

Few things in nature are as magical as a backyard coruscating with the glow of fireflies. But sadly — most likely due to habitat destruction, pesticide use and light pollution — firefly populations are dwindling. With that in mind, making a firefly-friendly garden can serve two purposes: it can help the fireflies, and it can fill your summer dusk with the beguiling beauty of bioluminescence! Here’s how to get fireflies to flock to your neck of the woods.

Skip the chemicals

Most chemicals used outdoors to kill or deter certain bugs aren’t that selective; they will likely kill or deter fireflies as well. And since larvae are born underground, lawn chemicals in the soil will be detrimental as well.

Don’t disrupt the slimy things

As magical as fireflies may be, the larvae have a less-than-enchanting secret; they’re wee carnivores that feast on worms, grubs, slugs and snails. (And they do so by immobilizing their prey with toxic enzymes before sucking out the liquefied body contents. Sweet!) To keep the zombie bug babies happy so that they can grow up to become pretty fireflies, leave their slimy victims alone.

Provide good cover

During the day, nocturnal adult fireflies hide in the grass and low-profile plants. A nice variety of shrubs, high grass and low-growing plants will provide shelter.

With 2,000 species of fireflies — and many of them having different diets — it may be hard to pinpoint what your local variety likes to eat. Many adult fireflies eat very little, but regardless, many eat a variety of pollen and nectar, so having a lot of flowers around should prove enticing. (And that approach is good for other pollinators, too!)